Improvement in looms for weaving hair-cloth



4Sh'ets--S-heetl.

l. TURPIE. `Luums for weaving Hair-Cloth.

Patented Sept. 15, 1874.

immnmc u) neo-@eo 1 THE GRAPHIC CD. PHOTBiTi-LBQI H PARK FLACEJLY.

4 Sheets--Sheet 2.

Patented Septr.15,1`874.

mihiebbeb 4Sheet's-Sheet 3.

TIJRPIE. l Looms for Weaving Hair-0loth,. No.l54,996. Y Patented sepnimmm,V

' -Wwuebbcm THE RAFHIGCO. PHOTO-LITLSBI; +I PARK PLACE, MYA

Tu nipte. Looms furV Waavi'ng Hair-Gloth.

Patented spt.15,'1ar4.A

f UNITED STATES" vPATENT OFFICE JOHN TURPIE, or NEw YORK, N. Y., AssrGNoR To HIMsELE AND EDwAnD i n. EAULKNER., OE SAME PLAGE.

.-- IMPROVMENT IN LOOMSFOR WEAVING HAIR-CLOTH.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 154,996, dated September 15, 1874; application filed August 6, 1874.

. To all whom it may concern Be it known that 4I, JOHN TURPIE, of New York city, inthe State of New. York, have invented certain Improvements Relating to Loomsfor Weaving Hair-Cloth, of which the following is a'specification:

The invention relates to the details of the mechanism whereby important difficulties are overcome. The hairs are automatically'separated from the bunch, and drawn through the warps with a motion resembling that of the best hand-work. When a hair is missed the shed remains quietly open, and the movement of the jacquard4 is completely arrested, while `the rest of the mechanism remains in full operation, and an alarm-bell or striker v calls `attention to the fact. The bunch of hair is agitated at each revolution. Provision is made for varying the friction on the yarnf beam in proportion as the tension on the warps is diminished, and a dial is' provided to show to the eye the rate at which the cloth is taken up. i

The following is -a description of what I consider the best means of carrying out the invention. The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification.

Figure lis a side elevation, a portion of the framing being broken away. This view is from the left-hand side. Fig. 2 is a side elevation from the right-hand'side. Fig. 3 is a front view, the work on the right-hand side being shortened in. Figs. 4, 5, and 6 represent the nippers on a larger scale. Fig. 4 represents the nippers closed by the force of the spring represented. Fig. 5 represents the nippers as held open against the pressure of the spring through contact with some part not represented. Fig. 6 is a plan view corresponding to Fig. 4. Fig. 7 represents a modilication.

The friction-brake, peculiarly controlled, is herev applied to the yarn-beam, not directly, but to a pulley geared to the yarn-beam, and having a more rapid motion.

To avoid unnecessary complication of the drawings I have shown some of the plain gearwheels simply by strong dotted lines.

. Similar letters of reference indicate like parts in all the figures.

. A is a rigid frame of cast-iron, certain points inwhich will be designated A1 A2, Sto., when necessary. B is the main shaft, turned by gearing from a short shaft, B1, which receives motion through a belt from any suitable power. G1 C1 are face-cams fixed on the shaft B, which, through grooves in their faces and corresponding rollers received therein, give motion,v as represented, `to the levers G2 ixed on the rocking shaft U3, and carrying, by means of swiveling-pieces O4, sliding rods C5, which, through joints C6 and springs C7, give the proper toand-fro motion to the lay O, which latter turns on the center c below, and carries reeds adapted to perform their usual function. The cloth M is wound on a cloth-beam, M1, which is free to rise as it is filled on the friction-beam M2, actuated with the proper very slight steps, by a turn of mechanism from the jacquard, the working and arresting of which will be described farther on. M3 is the ordinary roller at the front of the loom over which the cloth is drawn. Beyond the weaving-line the naked .warps are marked m, and are worked up and `down to the proper extent by heddles, not

come slackened or tightened the drop-roller m2 correspondingly rises and sinks. Brakestraps m5, tightened by loaded levers m6, impose a frictional resistance to retard the yielding of the yarn-beam m4. This friction is varied within wide limits, according to the depth to which the drop-roller m2. is allowed to sink. This roller m2 runs in bearings in blocks m, which are Xed on vertical slide-rods m8, which traverse easily up and down in bearings in the inner side of the framing A. These rods m8 support loaded levers m9, which turn on fixed centers m10 atv one end, and Vtraverse up and down at the other end in long slots m12 formed in knee-bars m11, which project down from the ends of the levers m6. When the warps m slacken so as to lower the roller m2 -below its proper position, the loaded levers m9 sink and bear in the bottom of the slots m12. In this position they add to the load previously on hand, the yarn beam m1 does not deliver the warp sufficiently fast the increased tension on the warps raises the roller m2, and with it the levers m9. A considerable range of motion of the levers m9 is allowed in the slots m12 without producing any ei'ect; but when the tension on the warps m exceeds the proper limit it raises the roller m2 so high as to cause the levers m9 to touch the upper ends of the slots m12. Here they exert a lifting force tending toV relieve the yarn-beam m4 from a part of the weight even of the principal load m5. Thus the levers m11 vibrate in the slots m12, keeping the tension of the warps practically uniform.

The hairs are drawn through the shed by a movement resembling that of the hook-rod in handweaving.

D is a face-cam, having a groove in one face, which receives a roller from the knee-lever D1, turning on a xed point, D2, below. A short link, D3, connects this lever D1 to a pin on a segment, D4, which turns on a fixed pin, D5, on the framing, and meshes into a pinion, D5, keyed on a shaft, D1, which carries a pair of large grooved wheels, D8. The rotation of the cam D reciprocates the segment D1, and whirls the wheels D8, alternately, one or more revolutions in opposite directions. Cords D9, wound in these grooves, and running around pulleys, as represented, connect to a traveler, D10, running lightly on a straight level way, A1, and carry a hook-rod, D11, which-theoperations being rightly timed, and the rod being guided in a standard, A2, of the framingis reciprocated through the shed at each movement of the heddles. This gives the desired motion to the hook -rod very perfectly, and with little complication. The hairs are singled out and placed in the hook by a motion which draws each one across the path of the hook, in the same manner as the lingers of an attendant in hand-weaving. A train of gearing from the main shaft B revolves a short shaft, E, at the same rate, and in the same direction. This carries a crank-pin, E1, which connects, by a rod or link, E2, to an arm, E3, on a rocking shaft, E4, supported in uprights on the framing, in the position represented. This shaft E1 carries a curved arm, E5, which is equipped at the end with mechanism for seizing a single hair at each vibration, and drawing it across the hook-rod, D11. The curve of the arm E5 is adapted to allow the hook-rod D11 to stand within it, while the end E5 dives into the bunch of hair. On the return motion of the curved arm E5 it draws the hair through the hook, and the return of the hook-rod D11 draws the hair through the shed. The nippers E6, which seize one hair only at each plunge, and the provisions for presenting the bunch of hair to the action thereof, require careful attention. The bunch of hairs lie in V-shaped holders G, which are held on the springs g, so that they may yield a little to each plunge of the nippers. Straps or arches G1, carried on the same hinged platform G2 which supports the spring g, stand in deep notches in the V-shaped holder G, and serve to hold down the hairs.

To introduce a quantity of hair, the holder G must be depressed by the fingers, or otherwise, in opposition to the elastic force of the spring g, so as to leave sufficient space under the straps G1. The holder G supports a sumcient length of the hair to allow of seizing it.

There should be a table, trough, or analogous support, (not represented,) reaching out in line with the holder G, to support the remainder of the length of the hair. It may be curved, if preferred.

The nippers E5, on the end of the arm E5, are peculiarly formed, so that when they open they present not an ordinary V-shaped opening, but a rectangular, or nearly rectangular, notch. In other words, the bottom of the opening is square. The jaw opens only a little more than enough to take in one hair. By plunging into a mass of hair with this kind of an open mouth, one hair, and only one, is received into the mouth. A slight movement, while it is thus depressed, shuts the jaw, and seizes firmly on the hair. On the withdrawal of the arm E5, with its peculiar nippers E5, the hair thus seized is drawn up out of the bunch and separated from its fellows. As the nippers E5 move upward in their curved path they turn the hair, and thus present it directly in the hook, so that on the withdrawal of the hook-rod D11 the hair is received fairly on a pulley or sheave therein, and pulled into and through the shed. The drawing of the hair into the shed Winds the portion in immediate contact, with the nippers partially around a horn or pin, E1, which is properly adapted to plunge down through the mass of hair, and to form a firm support foi` the hair when the latter is thus drawn partially around it. The arrangement insures that the pull of the hair on the nippers during the period while the hook D11 is being rapidly withdrawn through the shed, shall be not in the line of such draft, but in nearly the same line in which it originally laythat is to say, the partial winding of the hair around the horn E1 causes the hair to resist the pull by the strain which is received primarily on the horn E1, and the small portion which is left on the nippers E6 lies in the same direction as the hair lay therein when it was irst nipped. Except for the horn E1 the pull of the hook-rod D11 would tend to slue the hair around in the nippers. H is an agitating-iinger, which at each rise of the nippers E6 moves into the slot provided for it in the Vshaped holder, and compresses the bunch of hairs together. This fin ger His carried on a slide, H1, which is guided in a slot in the framing A, and is worked by a link, H2, which connects it to a crank-pin, H3, on a short shaft, H4, which is geared to the shaft E. The movable jaw of the nippers E6 turns on a center, E2. A spring, E9, carried on the arm E5, tends to keep the nippers constantly closed with a justsuftlcient force Vto properly hold. the hair.` At each plunge of the nippers into the bunchv of hair in the holder G, the end of the jaw E1 strikes a hinged piece, E13, which turns on the fixed center E11, and .which is so supported that it cannot be depressed below the position represented, although `it is free to rise. -As the nippers E6 descend the hinged piece E10 compels Ithem to open. After the jaw, thus opened, has descended into kthe hair the upper end of the nippers E5 passesthe hinged piece E11,and `is moved `outward by the spring g. On the rise of the arm E5 with the nippers E6 the hinged piece E10 is deflected upward and produces no eect, so that the nippers E3, after seizing a hair, rise without opening.` The nippers E6 should hold onto the hair tightly by the aid of the half-turn around the horn E7 until the return-motion of the hook-rod D11 has-rolled thehair through the shed. Just at this latter moment the nippers E5 should open and liberate the hair. The openingV at this juncture is effected by a cam-piece, E12, which is carried on the side of the lay C. When the curved arm E5 has drawn the hair upward and forward toits extreme position, and has commenced to return, it meets the lay C coming forward to strike home the hair, the hook-rod D11 being just at that moment emerging from the opposite edge of the shed, and, consequently, j ust finishing its work of drawing the hair through.V In this condition of affairs the cam E12 performs its functions, as it passes the nippers, of opening them "for lan instant, and then allowing-them to close again. Dur ing that brief interim the hair is liberated.

I have so far described the movable jaw ,of the nippers E6 as formed in a single piece, and of suitable outline to allow the feeler 119 to ride smoothly over it. I can work the' invention with some success in that form; but I esteem it preferable to insert an adjustable piece in the movable jaw, which can be set out and in at will to increase or diminish the capacity of the jaw, and which can bereinoved, and ground and reset, whenever it becomes dull by long use. Figs. 4, 5, 6 represent these parts on an enlarged scale, and with what I esteem the most complete construction. In these gures E13 is the removable and adjustable piece, and E14a pinching-screw, which holds it rmly in the desired position. In these figures the dotted lines indicate a face-piece bolted upon the side and covering the nippers. I will designate the entire face-piece by E15. It stands in such position that the edge of this piece E15, instead of the nipper jaw E3, takes the gentle pressure of the feeler 113. This allows the jaw to be made of any form, and allows the head of the pinching-screw E14 to project as much as may be necessary, so long as it does not projectvbeyond the outline of the face-piece E15. I also deem it desirable to provide a sharp pointon the face-piece E15, which plunges into the mass of hair at a different base from the liorn E1, and thus `further agitates the hair and keeps itl properly loosened. In case 'the'nippers E6 failto seize a hair, and, in consequence, the hook-rod D11 returns idly through the shed, the lay will beat exactly as before, but

theshed will not close. It will remain open, and the let-otf and take-up motions will be arrested.

I1 I2 is the jacquard-lever, turning on a center, i, on the fixed frame-work, and carrying jacquard mechanism, which may be of theordinary character, adapted to change the warps,

, which turns on the center represented on the xed framing below, and is operated by la short connection, I5, to an eccentric, 11, keyed to the. main shaft B. vA long helical spring,13, encircles the upper part of the rod 13, and abuts at its upper end under a collar on the latter, while it abuts at its lower end on one ofthe bearings, which forms a part of the rod 14. A collar, I9, fixed adjustably on the rod I3, is held up by the pressure of the spring 13 against the under side of another bearing on the rod I4. VIt follows that, as the rod 14 is uniformly raised and lowered by the action of the eccentric 11, it pulls down on the rod 13 by a direct contact against the collar 13, and thus opens the shed by a positive motion;v but in pushing upward to close the shed it acts only through a long spring, 13, which is capable of yielding to a sufficient extent to'allow the full upward motion of the rod 14 while the rod 13 remains in its lowest or nearly its lowest position. A beveled projection, 110, fixed on the rod 13has a square shoulder on its upper face, which vibrates close to the end of a horizontal bolt, 111, which is capable of vmoving a little way in bearings in the frame-work, and is pressed constantly toward the rod 13 by a coiled spring, 112. The force of this spring tends to urge the slide I11 into such position that it will engage with the projection I10 and arrest the ascent of the rod I3. When this is allowed to take place the shed remains open; but when the slide I11 is held back in opposition to the gentle force of the spring 113 the shed will close and reopen at every motion of the lever I4. I control the position of the slide I11, and consequently the holding open of the shed, through the intervention of a delicate feeling mechanism analogousl to that in the stop-motion of a loom. A slender feeler, acl.- ing with a gentle force, tends to move, at each operation, across the path of the hair. 1f the hair is there it will be arrested and the slide 111 restrained; but if the hair is absent it will move, without resistance, across the place of the hair and disengage the slide 111. The latter is drawn back at each revolution by a strong positive motion. 113 is a peculiarlyshaped piece of metal turning on a fixed center, 114, and which performs important functions. The vseveral points or parts thereof will be indicated, when necessary, by the double letters 16, 11), &c. At the point 1a is a deep notch on the under side. At the point 11 is a pin extending `horizontally outward. At the pointl1c is a, pivotand small hinged arm, 115. This latter is so mounted that it can be turned up easily, but will resist a tendency to bend it downward, and will communicate any force received in that direction to the entire piece 116. At each rocking motion of the shaft E an arm, E16, fixed thereon, presses down on the arm 115, and rocks the entire piece 116. The pin 11, on rising, strikes a lever, 116, which turns on a fixed center, 111, and carries on another arm two horizonal pins or arms, 116 and 116. The arm 118 is adapted to match into the notch 1a when the parts come in the proper position therefor. The arm 119 is longer, and serves as a feeler to move across the place of the hair. The arm E16 is adjustable by a pinching-screw on the shaft E, and is so placed that the motions are properly timed. On each plunge of the nippers E6 the piece 113 is moved by the arm E16, causing the notch 1u to liberate the pin 116, and the pin 11 to rise and turn the lever 116. This movement carries the feeler 119 backward (or from the attendant) across the path of the descending nippers E6. Now, before the nippers E6 rise the arm E16 slips off from the hinged piece 115 and liberates the important piece 116, and with it, of course, the light lever 116. The latter now turns untilthefeeler119rests against the outerfa'ce of the nippers E6, or a guard-piece, E15, attached for the purpose, and the piece 116 rests upon the pin 116. 1n this delicate position, the parts rest during the period while the nippers E6 commence to rise, after having made a plunge into the bunch of hair. As the nippers rise, the feeler 116 slides with a delicate pressure down the outer face, and as the arm E5 continues to rise slips off the lower end. Now is the critical moment. 1t' the hair is there, it will be held for a brief period longer by the presence of the hair, during which period the projection 116 will rise past the sliding bolt 111,v after which the liberation of the sliding bolt is too late to arrest the ascent of the rod 16. 1n such case the rod 16 will rise with the rod 11'as if the parts were a single piece, and the lever 11 12 will rock to impart the proper motion to the jacquard, to close the shed. But if the hair is not there, the feeler 116 will, on losing the support of the lever E5, be entirely unsupported, and will move forward across the place where the hair ought to be. 1n thus moving forward it brings the pin 116 within the iniuence of the notch 16, which is in the shape of an inverted V. 1t now quickens its motion by the force of the spring 112, and the gravity of the part 116, and allows the latter to rapidly receive the pin 116 into the notch 16. This movement of the piece 113 carries thev connected slide or horizontal bolt111into aposition to engage with the projection 116 on the rod 16. Now, the upward movement ofthe rod 16 isinstantly and positively arrested by the bolt or strong slide 111, and although the rod 14 continues and completes its full upward movement the spring 16 yields thereto without any further motion of the lever 11 12.

1n order to notify the attendant or overlooker how frequently this failure to seize the hair occurs, an extension, S, of the rod 11 is provided, and is guided by taking hold of the lever 12 in a long slot indicated by 126. Below this is a hinged arm, 121, which, when the rise of the rod 13 is arrested, touches the lever 122, turning on a pivot, 126, carried on the rod 16. On another arm of the lever 122 is a springhammer, which, at each release, strikes, by the force of a spring, 124, against a stop, 125, and by its elasticity moves farther andY strikes against a bell, 126, which is carried on the arm I 12 of the j acquard-lever.

1 find that thehold of the nippers E6 on the hair is very efficient to retain it, even if the hair should not be supported much, if at all, by the horn E1. 1 believe that, as an important modiiication, my selecting device made gearing connected with the let-off beam. The.

brake-strap L in this modication is lightened up by the lifting of the same drop-roller m2, before, and has the same general eect, but, instead of being applied directly upon the yarn-beam, it is applied on a quick-turning pulley, and the action is more sensitive. The employment of this train of gearing shown in Fig. 7 has the effect to control the let-off more regularly.

1 provide a fixed bar, A6, which touches rmly across the whole under side of the cloth a little front of the weaving-line. This tends to hold the goods against jumping up and down with any irregular strain due to the friction of the reeds or variable tension of thewarp-yarns, and aids in insuring that the hook-rod D11 shall always strike with certainty within the shed. 1 can still further i11- crease the steadiness of the cloth by mounting a slender roller directly over the bar A6, to press lightly on the upper face. t

Such an arrangement is shown in Fig. l. 1 propose to use the bar A3 either with or without the accompanying roller A6. 1n case the roller is added, the cloth may be held between the parts either above or below its natural position, or, as will usually be preferred, exactly in its natural position, or in the position which the cloth naturally assumes, being the resultant of the several oblique strains, or. the line of the mean strain of the warp-yarns. 1n case only the bar A is employed, the front parallel to the upper bar P1,

- against one edge of the goods bearing-roller m5 should be lowered enough to insure a gentle bearing of the goods on the bar.

Hair-cloth involves peculiar diiiculties in maintaining the width of the goods with a proper condition of the fabric near the edge. Ordinary temples cannot be employed with success, as they are liable to produce holes in the goods. I provide a light movable frame which moves forward and backward past the weaving-line after each beat of the lay, and touches lightly each edge of the goods, so as to hold the edge warps against spreading. The warp-yarns come through the heddles and also through the lay more widely spread than they are to finally lie in the goods. For haircloth thirty inches wide, the width of reeds used should be about thirty-one and a quarter inches besides the selvage. The light movable frame which holds the goods to the proper width under these conditions is formed .of a straight upper bar, P1, and short smooth bend P, and a lower bar, P2, which extends mainly but with two bends therein, as indicated by P3 P3. An ad-v justable block, P4, secured by a pinchingscrew, P5, completes the frame, and two Ilexible cords, P5, extending from the bends P3`to the lay C, complete the mechanism. At each forward movement of the lay the reeds strike the light frame and send it forward across the weaving-line. The extreme back movement of the lay acts, through the strings P5, to haul it backwardV across theI weaving-line. vIn both positions it presses lightly with one side, P, or warps, and with the adjustable piece P4 against the other edge.

To thel extremity of the lever I2 is connected a link, J, which. gives motion .to a lever, J1, turning on a ixed center. The other arm of the lever J1 carries a link, J 2, which is adjustably connected to a lever, J 3, carrying a springpawl, J4, working on a ratchet-wheel, J5, held Y by a spring-pawl, J5, connected by suitable gearing, to the friction-roller M2, which carries the cloth around" it by friction, and winds it on a cloth-roller M1. On the opposite end of the roller Mz'is a gear-wheel, K, which connects, through a train of multiplying-gears, K1 K2 K3, to a shaft, K4, carrying an arm, K5, which works around on a dial, K5. This dial K5 should be properly graduated to indicate, in inches and parts of an inch, the motion on the surface of the friction-roller M2.

It is easy for an overlooker to time a loom and observe how many picks or movements of the lay are performed in a unit of time. Prior to my invention I am aware of no simple means of conveniently determining the number of picks being at any given moment performed for any unit of length of the cloth. The index K5, by its movement on'the dial K5, gives the unit of length which is taken up during the time the attendant or overlooker is counting the picks.

Although I have spoken of the material throughout this specilication as hair-cloth, I

believe that my improvements maybe applied in the weaving of analogous fabrics with various grasses, and wish to include any which requires the lling to be introduced in separate wefts. c

I claim as my inventionl. The intermittent side presser or agitator H, in combination with the holder G, adapted to aid in closing together the bunch of hair after each plunge of the selecting mechanism, as herein specified. v 2. The removable hair-holder G, having a spring-bed, g, and rigid straps G1, adapted to receive and deliver the hairs, as herein specified.

3. The spur E, in combination with the selecting mechanism, and adapted to agitate the hairs at each descent, as also to deiiect and serve as a partial abutment or resisting-point for the hair in being carried into the shed, as herein specified.

4. The vibrating cam E12, in combination with the nippers E5, arranged and operating together to liberate the hair, as herein set forth. l

5. In combination with the nippers having a square-bottomed opening, and with mechanism for plunging it into a mass of hair and withdrawing it, the adjustable piece E13, and confining-screw E14, for the purposes specified.

6. The jacquard-lever I1 I2, yielding connection I8, and locking-catch I1o 111 on the operating parts I3 I4, controlled by the feeler 119, all operating together as and for the purposes herein set forth.

7. The bell 125, in combination with the jacquard-lever and operating-rod having a yielding connection thereto, the hinged arm 121 and spring-hammer lever 122, all arranged to operate together, as specified.

8. 'Ihe loaded levers m5, supported by the drop-roller m2, and the warp brake-levers M6 connected loosely thereto, combined and arranged to serve as and for the purposes specified.

9. The front bearing-bar A3 and corresponding top roller A4, arranged between the lay and the breast-beam to prevent the cloth from vibrating up anddown, as herein specified.

10. In the manufacture of fabrics having a filling of hair or analogous material without selvage, the movable trame P P1 P2 P4, adapted to touch lightly against the edges, and driven forward and backward near the weaving-line by cords P6 connected to the working part C, substantially as and for the purposes herein specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 30th day of July, 1874, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses. v JOHN TURPIE. Witnesses:

WM. C. DEY, M. A. VAN NAMEE. 

